The tortoiseshell she-cat could barely keep her eyes open, as she made her way through the thick forest. Every bone in her body, screamed at her to stop. To rest, and regain her strength. But she couldn't. Her eyes were dim, and she no longer had the strength to live. All hope for a bright future, had died with her mother. Her ribs ached, from where they pressed tightly against her skin. A constant reminder of how she hasn't eaten in several days since the incident. Her mouth felt dry, from a lack of water. Even bags were beginning to form under her eyes, from a lack of sleep, as she lazily listened to her surroundings. Nothing more than an empty shell of her former self. Only when she saw a hollowed out log, did she then decide to rest. Curling up inside of it, as she tucked her nose under her tail. Her body no longer having any strength left to move, as she allowed her eyes to close and for the darkness to swallow her up.
" Dawn....."
Pale green eyes snapped open, at the eerie voice that called her. The young she-cat lifted her head up, and glanced at her surroundings. At first, everything seemed normal looking, especially the log she was taking refuge within. Yet, something felt off. As if she was in a completely different world. Unnerved the she-cat shot to her paws, only to freeze. Since when did she have this much energy? She could barely move a few seconds ago. She nearly jumped out of her skin, when she looked at the rest of her body. It wasn't as thin as it once was, neither did she feel tired. Nervously, the she-cat took a cautious step outside, only for her eyes to widen at the sight in front of her.
Everything was some shade of white, as if the whole forest had been frozen in ice. Yet, when her paws touched the grass beneath her, it still felt the same. Upon closer examination, the world she was in seemed to shimmer and twinkle like stars. As if all of the stars in the night sky, had been pushed tightly together to form this majestic landscape. If she wasn't on edge, she would of admired the beauty of it all. But she still needed answers. Such as, why was she here?. Sure, she may have been starving, and close to being dehydrated. But surely, she wasn't dead. Not yet, at least. Frowning, the Tortoiseshell warily moved forwards, listening out for any movement that may be nearby. Just because this place seemed perfect, didn't mean its inhabitants were equally nice.
" Dawn......"
There it was again!, but where was it coming from?. It sounded like it was coming from everywhere, yet nowhere at the same time. Not to mention, it sounded as if there was more than just one individual calling out to her. As if someone had mashed nine voices into one. Glancing around, the she-cat tried to pinpoint where the sound was coming from. Unaware that the stars that were once still above her, were now beginning to act strangely. As if they were forming some kind of staircase down to her. Both ears instantly snapped backwards, upon hearing the sound of bushes rustling behind her. However, as she spun around to face her opponent. Claws and teeth at the ready. She instantly froze, as tears began to form in the corners of her eyes. Not quite believing what she saw in front of her.
" Hello, Dawn, its been a while, since we've last seen each other, huh, kiddo?", were the warm words, of the one cat she had missed the most. Her father. Crescent stood tall, as he looked at his daughter. His near black coat, showed no signs of the battle that killed him. Yet, his outline was white, and his fur was covered in stars. She could even see the trees behind him. Next to him, was her mother, Jasmine. The Tortoiseshell was just as beautiful, as Dawn remembered her to be. She too had a white outline, and stars in her fur. Which differed to Dawn, who was the only one who stood out within this mystical place. Before she knew what she was doing, she had moved towards them. Tears running down her cheeks, as she buried her head under both their chins. Her body trembling a little, as she tried to contain her sobs. Nothing needed to be said, as the three family members held each other close.
After a while of just cuddling one another, Dawn finally decided to take a reluctant step backwards. Her eyes were still misty with tears, by the time she had wiped her face dry. However, as her happiness slowly began to subside, confusion had quickly taken its place." But I don't understand, what are you doing here? Why am I here?", she asked. She didn't quite understand why her parents had stars in their fur while she didn't. Was she still alive? Or was she in some form of limbo?. These were questions she didn't quite have the answers to. But ones she desperately needed. Almost as if someone were reading her mind, the sound of someone clearing their throat rose up from behind her. Causing her to whip around, and come face to face with a cat she didn't quite recognise.
He was a pure white tom, with one amber eye and one blue eye. Two scars ran down the right side of his face, and ended on his left shoulder." Greetings, Dawn, we have been waiting for you", he said. His voice echoed, as if he were inside a cave. While his eyes glowed like the sun and moon. A ghost of a smile graced his face, as he watched Dawnstar look at him with awe." I am Palelight, a former elder that lived amongst the mountains not far from here, and as for your question little one...... you've been chosen to take part in a journey, one that is filled with twists and turns, yet smooth and straight at the same time", he added. A small chuckle escaped his throat, upon seeing the bewildered look on the young she-cat's face.
" In other words, we've decided to give you a second chance at life, so that you can become a leader of your very own clan, don't really see the point, considering your current state of health", a harsh voice sneered. This one was female, and crackled like lightning. Dawn quickly glanced in the direction of the newcomer, her gaze locking onto the fiery gaze of a brown and white she-cat. Who simply smiled cruelly at her, revealing gaps in her mouth where her teeth should have been. Palelight simply glared in her direction, something that was clearly ignored by the other." Do not mind her, dear, she's just a little bitter about being dead that's all~", a soft voice sang. Dawn glanced to her right, only to nearly jump out of her skin upon seeing the lilac tabby that was sat next to her.
" Don't be scared little one, my name is Songheart, the grump over there is Birchfrost, oh!~ and here comes Blackflame, Thrushstep, Dewpad and Stonewhisper!~", Songheart chirped excitedly. Dawn followed the older she-cat's gaze towards four approaching figures. One was a half black, half ginger tom, another was a pale brownish grey tom, who was slightly shorter than his black companion. Next to him was a grey and white tabby, and finally, a pale blueish grey she-cat speckled with white. All seven of these names were completely foreign to her. In fact they sounded like nothing she had ever heard of before. It wasn't until her brain had finally caught up to recent events, that she remembered both Palelight's and Birchfrost's words." Wait, leader?!", she asked.
Dewpad smiled sadly, as her sky blue eyes met Dawn's green ones." We really do wish we could explain it all to you, Dawn, honestly, but your our last hope for a future here, and thus, we are granting you leadership to create a clan here, to keep our memory alive, and to try and bring balance to this world", she explained. Before nodding in the direction of Blackflame, who moved to stand in front of Dawn. Easily towering over her, as he slowly dipped his head to meet her gaze. Something about the intensity in his yellow eyes unnerved her. In fact everything about this whole situation was unnerving. " We don't have a lot of time, so we'll have to make this quick", he murmured.
" Receiving the nine lives of a leader isn't an easy feat, it will be incredibly painful, so brace yourself little one", he murmured softly. His eyes briefly showing sympathy, before leaning forwards to press his nose against his forehead." With this life, I give you bravery, for when you feel as if your walking in shadows, remember that there will always be light, even in the darkest of places", he said. The wave of pain that followed, caused Dawn to release a screech of agony. It felt as if she were being burned alive. As if there were claws raking at her chest. When she finally had the courage to open her eyes again, she discovered that Blackflame had been replaced with Stonewhisper.
The grey tabby smiled sympathetically at her, before gently pressing his own nose to her forehead. Causing her to squeeze her eyes shut in preparation for the next wave of agony." You do not know me, but we are connected through blood, with this life, I give you sympathy and understanding, use it to better understand your clanmates and to help those less fortunate than yourself", he whispered. This time the pain wasn't as bad as the first. In fact, a sense of soothing reassurance washed through her. As if she were standing in the middle of a river. It helped dull the pain, and make it more bearable for her to endure. Upon opening her eyes, she found herself looking into the cold gaze of Birchfrost. Who wasted no time pushing her nose against her head.
" I don't know why I agreed to do this, but with this life I give you pride, never be ashamed of who you are, or what your clan stands for, they'll do well under you, as long as you keep your head high", she muttered. This time the pain sent Dawn reeling. As if both fire and ice were trying to claim her heart and mind. She wanted to take a step back, but refused to let Birchfrost have the pleasure of it. Just when she felt as if she could take no more, a soft presence moved to her side." Your almost there,just hang on a little while longer", a voice said. Causing Dawn to snap open her eyes, and glance upwards at the speaker. Thrushstep smiled down at her, before pressing his nose gently over Birchfrost's. As if trying to take the pain away.
" With this life, I give you determination, use this life to pull through even the toughest of hardships", he said. This time Dawn was ready for it. Ignoring the worst of it, so she could pull through to the next life. By now, her fears were slowly dying. In fact, she was beginning to slowly feel excited?. She was actually getting excited about receiving nine lives?. A small giggle caught her attention, and caused her attention to focus on Dewpad. The she-cat smiled gently at her, before softly placing her cold nose against her warm head.
" Your doing so well, just four more to go, with this life I give you kindness, use it to show others that there are more ways to change someone's mind than calling for war", she said. The pain that followed felt more like raindrops than anything else. It still hurt, but it was a whole lot more enduarable than the others. Dawn almost felt saddened when Dewpad moved away. Only to perk up slightly when she realised it was Songheart.
" With this life, I give you protection, use it to protect the ones you love and cherish, but more importantly, use it to keep your clan safe", she whispered. Despite the pain, Dawn could have sworn she heard the cries of battle behind her. As if she were fighting alongside ghosts. Speaking of which, Palelight was now stood before her. Mismatched coloured eyes twinkling within the moonlight." It's nearly over now, little one", he whispered reassuringly.
" With this life, I give you wisdom, use it to guide the younger members of your clan, and to help keep the peace between rivals", he said. There was no pain with this life, only a sense of aging. Her bones felt as if they were about to give way, as if she were Palelight's age. But with this sense of aging, came a calmness. A sense of satisfaction. One that warmed her heart, and gave her hope for the future. However, as she glanced up at her next life giver, she felt tears begin to swell in her eyes.
" My gorgeous daughter, you have no idea how much I miss you, nor how much I'm proud of you, with this life, I give you a mother's love, use it to look after your apprentices as of they were your own, for nothing is more frightening than a queen's need to protect her kits", Jasmine said. Dawn did not flinch from the intensity of the life, it swirled through her like a hurricane. Emphasizing her mother's words. A soft chuckle caused her to look up at her father, his eyes showing nothing but warmth.
" Do not mourn for me, dearest one, for we will see each other again one day, but for now, it is with my greatest honour to give you, your last and final life, with this life I give you courage, use it to stand up to those that threaten you, to those that spread fear throughout the land, for as long as you have this life, you will not fall", he murmured. Just like her mother's, Dawn was prepared for the intensity. A small smile appearing on her face as her father's courage sunk into her bones. Giving her strength. Crescent pulled away to smile proudly at his daughter, before taking a step back to sit down with the others.
" I hail you by your new name, Dawnstar, your old life is no more, you have now received the nine lives of a leader, and StarClan grants you the guardianship of your future clan, defend it well, care for young and old; honor your ancestors and the traditions of the warrior code, but most importantly, live each life with pride and dignity"
Dawnstar blinked as all nine cats spoke as if they were only one. Her new name sounded alien to her. As if it both was and wasn't her name. Yet, before she could do anything else, she felt the world below her collapse. Sending her into the dark abyss bellow. The last thing she heard before waking up, was the chanting of the nine cats who had give her, her lives.
" Dawnstar!"
" Dawnstar!"
" Dawnstar!"
